High-k dielectric film, method of forming the same and related semiconductor device

ABSTRACT

A high-k dielectric film, a method of forming the high-k dielectric film, and a method of forming a related semiconductor device are provided. The high-k dielectric film includes a bottom layer of metal-silicon-oxynitride having a first nitrogen content and a first silicon content and a top layer of metal-silicon-oxynitride having a second nitrogen content and a second silicon content. The second nitrogen content is higher than the first nitrogen content and the second silicon content is higher than the first silicon content.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application is a continuation of international application PCT/EP2003/050352, filed on Jul. 30, 2003, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a high-k dielectric film, a method of forming the same and related semiconductor devices, and in particular to high-k dielectric films related to a gate dielectric for field effect semiconductor devices or a capacitor dielectric for trench capacitors in integrated circuits.

BACKGROUND

For forming semiconductor devices like CMOS devices (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor), MOSFET devices (Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistor) or high memory devices such as DRAMs (Dynamic Random Access Memories), it is often useful to form a thin, high dielectric constant (high-k) film onto a substrate, such as a silicon wafer. A variety of techniques have been developed to form such thin films on a semiconductor wafer.

In the past, gate dielectric layers have been formed using silicon dioxide. The scaling down of the above described devices, however, has increased the demand for gate dielectrics with a higher dielectric constant than silicon dioxide. This is necessary to reach ultra thin oxide equivalent thicknesses (EOT, Equivalent Oxide Thickness) without compromising gate leakage current.

In detail, as semiconductor devices have scaled to smaller dimensions, effective gate dielectric thickness has gotten thinner. The continued scaling of conventional gate dielectrics, such as SiO₂ and SiO_(x)N_(y), has almost reached the fundamental limits of very high gate leakage current, due to direct tunneling, which is not acceptable in a scaled device requirement of a low leakage current. In order to suppress the high leakage current, several high-k films of transition metal oxide and silicate, such as HfO₂, ZrO₂, Hf-aluminate, Zr-aluminate, Zr-silicate, Hf-silicate and a lanthanide oxide like La₂O₃, Pr₂O₃, and Gd₂O₃, have been studied in replacement of SiO₂ and SiO_(x)N_(y).

However, these conventional materials have shown a number of disadvantages. According to S. OHMI, et al., “Rare earth metal oxide gate thin films prepared by E-beam deposition”, International Workshop on Gate Insulator 2001, Tokyo, Japan, it is known that ZrO₂ or HfO₂ has shown micro crystal formation, resulting in high leakage current.

Furthermore, from J. H. LEE, et al., “Poly-Si gate CMOSFETs with HfO₂—Al₂O₃ laminate gate dielectric for low power applications”, Tech. Dig. VLSI, page 84, 2002, it is known that HfO₂—Al₂O₃ laminate or Hf-aluminate have serious mobility degradation due to fixed charges in the high-k dielectric film.

Moreover, TAKESHI, YAMAGUCHI, et al., “Additional scattering effects for mobility degradation in Hf-silicate gate MISFETs” Tech. Dig. IEDM 2002 reports that in case of Zr-silicate or Hf-silicate, phase separation of the film into HfO₂ and SiO₂ regions by the high temperature anneal induces also mobility degradation.

For lanthanide oxides, leakage current results have indicated that lanthanide oxides may be possible candidates of future dielectrics. However, according to H. IWAI, et al., “Advanced gate dielectric materials for Sub-100 nm CMOS”, Tech. Dig. IEDM 2002, it is reported that these lanthanide oxides also form interfacial layers on Si substrates after subsequent thermal annealing, which may indicate thermal instability of these lanthanide oxides.

Moreover, impurity penetration such as boron penetration from e.g. a gate layer to a Si substrate is a further problem to be solved by these high-k dielectric films. Even though nitrogen incorporation on HfSi_(x)O_(y) has been known to suppress impurity penetration (e.g. boron penetration) and improve thermal stability, it was also reported that a very high Si content of Si/[Si+Hf] ratio of over 80% in HfSi_(x)O_(y)N_(z) prevents flat band voltage shift, resulting in seriously reducing dielectric constant of the film even with a high nitrogen content of 30 atomic percent (see M. KOYAMA, et al. “Effects of nitrogen in HfSiON gate dielectric on the electrical and thermal characteristics”, Tech. Dig. IEDM 2002, 34-1). This high Si content low-k dielectric film of HfSi_(x)O_(y)N_(z) is almost the same as conventional SiO_(x)N_(y) in terms of dielectric constant. Other technical problems of the formation of respective films on Si substrate are that a high nitrogen concentration at the interface between the dielectric layer and the Si substrate can be induced by subsequent high thermal annealing to degrade mobility.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is illustrated by way of example and not limited to the accompanying figures in which like references indicate similar elements. Exemplary embodiments will be explained in the following text with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1A and 1B are partial cross-sectional views showing production of a high-k dielectric film according to a first embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of the high-k dielectric film according to a second embodiment;

FIGS. 3A to 3D are partial cross-sectional views showing production of a high-k dielectric film according to a third embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of a field effect semiconductor device using the high-k dielectric film; and

FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of a trench capacitor using the high-k dielectric film.

Skilled artisans appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1A and 1B show partial cross-sections illustrating production of a high-k dielectric film according to a first embodiment. FIG. 1A illustrates a semiconductor substrate, such a monocrystalline Si substrate 1, is used as a base. On the surface of the substrate 1, a bottom layer B of metal-silicon-oxynitride (MSi_(xB)O_(yB)N_(zB)) is formed by layer deposition methods.

As shown in FIG. 1B, a top layer T is formed by the same metal-silicon-oxynitride on the surface of the bottom layer B. However, the top layer T has different silicon content and nitrogen content than the bottom layer B. In more detail, the deposited top layer T contains MSi_(xT)O_(yT)N_(zT) having a second nitrogen content zT and a second silicon content xT. The nitrogen content zB and zT of the bottom and top layer B and T as well as the silicon content xB and xT are selected such that the nitrogen content zT of the top layer T is higher than the nitrogen content zB of the bottom layer and the silicon content xT of the top layer T is higher than the silicon content xB of the bottom layer.

The indices x, y and z or xB, yB and zB or xT, yT and zT in the MSi_(x)O_(y)N_(z) layers are real positive values indicating molecular atomic percentage. Nitrogen atomic percentage in respective layer is calculated by (z/(1+x+y+z))×100. Usually, Si and M (metal) concentrations are presented by (x/(1+x)) x100 and (1/(+x))×100, respectively.

The bilayer stack shown in FIG. 1B constitutes a high-k dielectric film 2. In more detail, the high-nitrogen-content top layer T of the bilayer stack prevents diffusion of e.g. boron from a boron-doped poly-Si electrode (not shown) into the field effect device channel, whereas the low-nitrogen-content bottom layer B is decreases mobility degradation within this channel and/or the substrate 1. Moreover, since a decrease of Si content in metal-silicon-oxynitrides is related to an increase of the metal content and, in turn, an increase of the dielectric constant, the bilayer stack provides a higher dielectric constant than a similar high-Si-content metal-silicon-oxynitride. Thus, it is possible to further scale down an effective oxide thickness (EOT), while leakage caused by direct tunneling is reduced.

Si and N concentrations in the top layer T are higher than those in the bottom layer B, e.g. xT>xB, zT>zB. A ratio of N and Si in the top layer T with respect to the bottom layer B depends on what metal-silicon-oxides are used. If Hf is used as the metal M in the metal-silicon-oxynitride layer (HfSi_(x)O_(y)N_(z)), the Si/(Hf+Si) ratio of HfSi_(x)O_(y)N_(z) is in the range of about 70% to 95% with an N concentration of as high as about 30 atomic percent. Thus, for a fixed Si and N concentration in the top layer T using Hf as metal, the N and Si content of the bottom layer B are lower than those of the top layer T, with the N atomic percentage in the range from about 15% to 25% and a Si/(Hf+Si) ratio in the range from about 20% to 60%.

Concerning the thickness of the different layers, the top layer T has a smaller thickness than the thickness of the sum of the other layers within the high-k dielectric film 2 or the same. That is, the top layer T in the bilayer structure of the first embodiment is thinner or equal to the bottom layer B.

After formation of the high-k dielectric film 2, an anneal process may be used to increase the density of the layer stack and to reduce defects to improve the quality of the high-k dielectric film 2 such as to improve the leakage current characteristics. The anneal process may occur at a temperature of over 600° C. in N₂ or other gas.

FIG. 2 shows a partial cross-sectional view of a high-k dielectric film according to a second embodiment. The same reference numbers refer to the same or corresponding layers and a repeated description of these layers is omitted. According to the second embodiment, a substrate interface layer I is formed on the surface of the substrate 1. The respective top and bottom layers T and B of the high-k dielectric film 2 are formed on the surface of the substrate interface layer I. If a Si substrate 1 is used, the substrate interface layer may contain a silicon oxide, which further increases the mobility within the substrate and reduces defects at the surface of the substrate 1.

Besides the bilayer MSi_(x)O_(y)N_(z) stack of the first and second embodiment having a bottom layer and a top layer of metal-silicon-oxynitride, at least another metal layer of metal-silicon-oxynitride may be formed between the bottom layer B and the top layer T. This additional layer(s) may have nitrogen and silicon contents between the nitrogen and silicon contents of the bottom layer B and top layer T. In particular, the nitrogen and silicon content of this middle layer is higher than the nitrogen and silicon contents of a metal-silicon-oxynitride layer formed in a layer formed previously. The thickness of the top layer T is again equal to or less than the sum of thicknesses of the remaining layers in the high-k dielectric film or multilayer stack, i.e. the bottom layer and the middle layer(s).

Physical vapor deposition (PVD) may be used to deposit various MSi_(x)O_(y)N_(z) layers. In one embodiment, co-sputtering of metal, such as Hf, Zr, La, Pr, Gd and other lanthanide metals, and silicon in an Ar/N₂/O₂ ambient may be used to form metal-silicon-oxynitride films. Nitrogen concentration and silicon concentration in these metal-silicon-oxynitrides can be controlled by N₂ flow and silicon sputtering rate. High nitrogen content metal-silicon-oxynitride with a small amount of silicon can be obtained using high-nitrogen flow during the co-sputtering of Si. A poly-Si electrode (not shown) may additionally be formed on the top of the high-k dielectric film in any embodiment.

In one embodiment, a high nitrogen content and high silicon content metal-silicon-oxynitride at the top part of the high-k dielectric film 2 and a lower nitrogen content and a lower silicon content at the bottom part of the high-k dielectric film 2 can be formed to keep the interface of the high-k dielectric film 2 and the poly-Si electrode, if formed, thermally stable. Poly-Si electrode deposition usually is performed using SiH₄ or Si₂H₆. This may induce reduction of metal-O and metal-N bonds by hydrogen coming from SiH₄ or Si₂H₆. The reduction may generate defects and, in turn, result in high leakage current. High nitrogen concentrations and high silicon concentrations in metal-silicon-oxynitride suppress reaction between hydrogen and the high-k dielectric film during a poly-Si deposition due to a number of Si—N and Si—O bonds in the place of metal-O and metal-N bonds. Similar advantages result when using a metallic material instead of poly-Si as an electrode formed on the surface of the high-k dielectric film 2.

Thus, ZrSi_(x)O_(y)N_(z), HfSi_(x)O_(y)N_(z), LaSi_(x)O_(y)N_(z), PrSi_(x)O_(y)N_(z), GdSi_(x)O_(y)N_(z), DySi_(x)O_(y)N_(z), and other nitrogen incorporated lanthanide-silicates can be formed as high-k dielectric films.

FIGS. 3A to 3D show partial cross-sectional views illustrating steps for producing a high-k dielectric film according to a third embodiment. Again, the same reference numbers refer to same or corresponding layers as in FIGS. 1 and 2, and, therefore, a repeated description of these layers is omitted in the following. According to the third embodiment a triple layer stack is formed by an alternative method to provide the high-k dielectric film 2.

According to FIG. 3A, a substrate interface layer I is formed directly on the surface of the substrate 1, for example by a thermal process. Thus, a SiO₂-substrate interface layer I is formed on the Si substrate 1. A pre-bottom layer B1 of metal-silicon-oxide having a low first silicon content xB is then formed by a method such as deposition on the substrate interface layer I.

According to FIG. 3B, a pre-middle layer M1 of metal-silicon-oxide having a silicon content xM is deposited on the pre-bottom layer B1 having the silicon content xB. The silicon content xM of the layer or the pre-middle layer M1 is higher than that of the bottom layer B1 or (if a plurality of middle layers are to be used) is higher than that of the preceding layer.

According to FIG. 3C, a pre-top layer T1 of metal-silicon-oxide having a silicon content xT is formed on the pre-middle layer M1. The second silicon content xT of the pre-top layer T1 is higher than the that of the pre-middle layer M1 which is higher than that of the pre-bottom layer B1.

Furthermore, an N₂ plasma treatment is performed on the metal-silicon-oxide layers forming SiN bond rather than metal-N bond. Thus, as the Si content in the different layers is different, the nitrogen content after the N₂ plasma treatment is different. In one example, it is known that HfSi_(x)O_(y) can be formed by various deposition methods, such as MOCVD (Metal Organic Chemical Vapor Deposition), PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition), or ALD (Atomic Layer Deposition). Using MOCVD HfSi_(x)O_(y), two precursors, Hf[N(C₂H₅)₂]₄ for Hf and Si[N(CH₃)₂]₄ for Si, flow into a reactor together with O₂ to deposit HfSi_(x)O_(y). The SiO₂ mole fraction in HfSi_(x)O_(y) can be controlled by controlling the process parameters, such as temperature, pressure and both precursor flow rates, during the silicate deposition.

Increasing the temperature from 325° C. to 650° C. increases the SiO₂ mole fraction in HfSi_(x)O_(y) from about 20% to 65%. Changing the process pressure from about 400 Pa (3 Torr) to 1065 Pa (8 Torr) results in increasing the SiO₂ mole fraction from about 30% to 45%.

In the third embodiment, MOCVD HfSi_(x)O_(y) is used. A sequence for depositing low SiO₂ content HfSi_(xB)O_(yB) and high SiO₂ content HfSi_(xT)O_(yT) are deposited at the bottom part and at the top part of the high-k dielectric film 2 and then followed by N₂ plasma treatment. After N₂ plasma nitration, the top layer T of the film 2 has a high nitrogen content and the bottom layer B has a low nitrogen content.

Alternatively, a Zr silicate can be used instead of MOCVD Hf silicate. In this case, the precursors used to form the Zr silicate using MOCVD include Zr[N(C₂H₅)₂]₄ and Si[N(CH₃)₂]₄. In other embodiments, MOCVD lanthanide silicates can be formed using similar lanthanide MOCVD processes.

Thus, according to FIG. 3D, after performing a N₂ plasma treatment, the pre-bottom layer B1, the pre-middle layer M1 and the pre-top layer T1 are converted to a respective metal-silicon-oxynitride bottom layer B, middle layer M and top layer T. An annealing process may again be performed after the N₂ plasma treatment to repair the plasma damage to the high-k dielectric film 2, to increase the density of the high-k dielectric film, and/or to reduce defects as well as impurities in the high-k film stack.

FIG. 4 shows a partial cross-sectional view of a semiconductor device comprising a field effect transistor using the high-k dielectric film as a gate dielectric. In FIG. 4, a source region S, a drain region D and a channel region between the source and drain region are provided in a semiconductor substrate 1. The high-k dielectric film 2 is used as gate dielectric and formed on the channel region while a gate layer is formed on the gate dielectric 2. A spacer SP may be provided at the side walls of the gate stack. The spacer SP may aid in the formation of the source and drain regions S and D. The gate layer 3 may comprise a poly-Si or a metal gate. Use of a metal gate may improve the electrical characteristics of the semiconductor device.

FIG. 5 shows a partial cross-sectional view of a semiconductor device in which the high-k dielectric film is used as a capacitor dielectric. Trench capacitors may be used in different semiconductor devices such as, e.g. DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) devices. As shown in FIG. 5, a deep trench or hole is provided within the silicon substrate 1. The high-k dielectric film 2 is provided on the surface of the trench or hole after forming a second electrode 5 in the substrate 1 in the vicinity of the lower part of the trench. A filling material 4 is used as a first electrode of the resulting capacitor. The filling material 4 is usually highly doped poly-Si or a deposited metal. Thus, the high-k dielectric film improves the electric characteristics of semiconductor devices thereby enabling increased integration densities.

It will be appreciated to those skilled in the art having the benefit of this disclosure that a high-k dielectric film is provided. In addition, a method is provided for forming the high-k dielectric film as well as related semiconductor devices having an improved leakage current by reduced tunneling currents as well as improved diffusion barrier characteristics. Further modifications and alternative embodiments of various aspects of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of this description.

It is therefore intended that the foregoing detailed description be regarded as illustrative rather than limiting, and that it be understood that it is the following claims, including all equivalents, that are intended to define the spirit and scope of this invention. Nor is anything in the foregoing description intended to disavow scope of the invention as claimed or any equivalents thereof. 

1-11. (canceled)
 12. A method of forming a high-k dielectric film, the method comprising: a) forming a metal-silicon-oxynitride bottom layer on a substrate, the bottom layer having a first nitrogen content and a first silicon content; b) forming a metal-silicon-oxynitride top layer on the bottom layer, the top layer having a second nitrogen content and a second silicon content, the second nitrogen content higher than the first nitrogen content and the second silicon content higher than the first silicon content.
 13. The method of claim 12, further comprising forming a silicon oxide substrate interface layer on the substrate before forming the bottom layer and forming the bottom layer on the interface layer.
 14. The method of claim 12, further comprising forming a metal-silicon-oxynitride middle layer between the top and bottom layers, the middle layer having a third nitrogen content higher than the first nitrogen content and a third silicon content higher than the first silicon content.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein at least one of the bottom, middle or top layers are formed by co-sputtering of metal and silicon in Ar/N₂/O₂ ambient, a nitrogen and silicon concentration controlled by N₂ flow and Si sputtering rate.
 16. A method of forming a high-k dielectric film, the method comprising: a) forming a metal-silicon-oxide pre-bottom layer on a substrate, the pre-bottom layer having a first silicon content; b) forming a metal-silicon-oxide pre-top layer on the pre-bottom layer, the pre-top layer having a second silicon content higher than the first silicon content; and c) performing N₂ plasma treatment to convert the pre-bottom layer to a metal-silicon-oxynitride bottom layer having a first nitrogen content and the pre-top layer to a metal-silicon-oxynitride top layer having a second nitrogen content higher than the first nitrogen content.
 17. The method of claim 16, further comprising forming a metal-silicon-oxide pre-middle layer between the pre-top layer and the pre-bottom layer, the pre-middle layer having a third silicon content higher than that of the pre-bottom layer, wherein, during the N₂ plasma treatment, the pre-middle layer is converted to a metal-silicon-oxynitride middle layer having a third nitrogen content higher than that of the pre-bottom layer.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein at least one of the pre-bottom, pre-middle, or pre-top layers are formed by at least one of MOCVD, PVD, or ALD.
 19. The method of claim 16, further comprising annealing at least one of the bottom, middle, or top layers.
 20. The method of claim 16, further comprising forming a silicon oxide substrate interface layer on the substrate before forming the pre-bottom layer, wherein the pre-bottom layer is formed on the interface layer.
 21. The method of claim 16, wherein the metal-silicon-oxynitride of at least one of the bottom and top layers comprises at least one of: ZrSi_(x)O_(y)N_(z), HfSi_(x)O_(y)N_(z), LaSi_(x)O_(y)N_(z), PrSi_(x)O_(y)N_(z), GdSi_(x)O_(y)N_(z), or DySi_(x)O_(y)N_(z), wherein x, y and z are real positive values indicating molecular atomic percentage.
 22. A semiconductor device comprising a substrate, electrically conductive regions at least one of in or on the substrate, and means for reducing tunneling currents associated with currents passing between the electrically conductive regions.
 23. The semiconductor device of claim 22, wherein the substrate is a semiconductor substrate, and the semiconductor device comprises a field effect transistor that includes a source region, a drain region, and a channel region provided in the semiconductor substrate, and a gate layer formed on the means for reducing tunneling currents above the channel region, the electrically conductive regions including the source and drain regions.
 24. The semiconductor device of claim 22, wherein the substrate is a semiconductor substrate, and the semiconductor device comprises a trench capacitor with a first electrode, the means for reducing tunneling currents, and a second electrode formed in the semiconductor substrate, the electrically conductive regions including the first and second electrodes.
 25. The semiconductor device of claim 22, wherein the means for reducing tunneling currents comprises multiple metal-silicon-oxynitride layers of silicon and nitrogen contents that increase with distance from the substrate.
 26. The semiconductor device of claim 25, wherein the means for reducing tunneling currents further comprises an interface layer formed between a bottommost metal-silicon-oxynitride layer and the substrate, the interface layer having a different composition than the bottommost layer. 